LPA Violation: Amuwo-Odofin LG Council Of Lagos Has Withdrawn Letter Offering Legal Services — NBA

The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has said that the
Amuwo-Odofin Local Government of Lagos State, has withdrawn its
publication wherein the Council offered to provide a wide range of
legal services to the public, in breach of the extant laws
regulating the practice of law in Nigeria.

This is contained in a statement made available to
Nairalaw signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Dr.
Rapulu Nduka

Nduka said seeing the publication, the NBA Section on Legal
Practice took the matter up and wrote a letter to the Local
Government Council to cease and desis from their action.

“Following this, the NBA through its Section on Legal Practice
(NBA-SLP) intervened to request the Local Government Council to
cease and desist from the offending acts. On the basis of this
intervention, the Council has withdrawn the said publications and
also pledged to desist from further infringement.” Nduka said

He added that the Association has dealt with similar situations
and will continue take steps to ensure that the profession is not
brought to disrepute

He said, “Similar attempts in recent times by other
organisations to offer legal services to the public have also
been/are being dealt with the NBA.

“The NBA reiterates that it will continue to take every step to
ensure that the Legal Profession is not brought to disrepute, and
accordingly appeals to all lawyers to kindly bring to its
attention any such infraction(s) in order for the appropriate steps
to be taken.”

Nduka attached the letter
from the Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Council in reaction to NBA’s
intervention.^[1]

The Council addressed the letter to the Chairman of the NBA
Section on Legal Practice, Mr. Oluseun Abimbola, SAN. The Council
said rejoinders have widely been circulated and assured that it
will continue to observe rule of law

It reads, “The Local Government, on Friday 7th May 2021 withdrew
the publication in issue from all electronic platforms and
publications immediately our attention was called to it. In
addition, two different rejoinders have been widely circulated on
these platforms to confirm the sincere fact of its withdrawal.

“The Local Government under the incumbent administration is law
abiding and promotes the rule of law in its entire ramification,
and hereby assures your good office, your law section and the NBA
of the continued observance of the rule of law.

“While thank learned silk and your committee for finding it
appropriate to contact my office regarding the said publication,
please be assured of my esteemed highest regards at all times.

“Our government will continue to ensure continuous strict
compliance with laws and regulations applicable to the offer of
legal services and practice in the Federal Republic of
Nigeria.”

The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has said that the
Amuwo-Odofin Local Government of Lagos State, has withdrawn its
publication wherein the Council offered to provide a wide range of
legal services to the public, in breach of the extant laws
regulating the practice of law in Nigeria.

This is contained in a statement made available to
Nairalaw signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Dr.
Rapulu Nduka

Nduka said seeing the publication, the NBA Section on Legal
Practice took the matter up and wrote a letter to the Local
Government Council to cease and desis from their action.

“Following this, the NBA through its Section on Legal Practice
(NBA-SLP) intervened to request the Local Government Council to
cease and desist from the offending acts. On the basis of this
intervention, the Council has withdrawn the said publications and
also pledged to desist from further infringement.” Nduka said

He added that the Association has dealt with similar situations
and will continue take steps to ensure that the profession is not
brought to disrepute

He said, “Similar attempts in recent times by other
organisations to offer legal services to the public have also
been/are being dealt with the NBA.

“The NBA reiterates that it will continue to take every step to
ensure that the Legal Profession is not brought to disrepute, and
accordingly appeals to all lawyers to kindly bring to its
attention any such infraction(s) in order for the appropriate steps
to be taken.”

Nduka attached the letter
from the Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Council in reaction to NBA’s
intervention.^[1]

The Council addressed the letter to the Chairman of the NBA
Section on Legal Practice, Mr. Oluseun Abimbola, SAN. The Council
said rejoinders have widely been circulated and assured that it
will continue to observe rule of law

It reads, “The Local Government, on Friday 7th May 2021 withdrew
the publication in issue from all electronic platforms and
publications immediately our attention was called to it. In
addition, two different rejoinders have been widely circulated on
these platforms to confirm the sincere fact of its withdrawal.

“The Local Government under the incumbent administration is law
abiding and promotes the rule of law in its entire ramification,
and hereby assures your good office, your law section and the NBA
of the continued observance of the rule of law.

“While thank learned silk and your committee for finding it
appropriate to contact my office regarding the said publication,
please be assured of my esteemed highest regards at all times.

“Our government will continue to ensure continuous strict
compliance with laws and regulations applicable to the offer of
legal services and practice in the Federal Republic of
Nigeria.”